Dancing terms and dance definitions

Breakdancing. Dancing with floor movements, such as spins, freezes, and poses.

Backflip

dancer flips over backwards. Generally followed by a frontflip.

Backspin

dancer balances weight on the upper back and goes into a spin by pushing with the hands or swinging the legs across the body.

Bailatino

a mix of Latin dances with no need for a partner.

Baion

A type of slow Samba rhythm from Brazil that became popular in North America during the 50's.

balance

A step that rocks from one foot to the other, usually in 3/4 time.

balance

(ballroom) ability of the dancer to maintain an upright and controlled position of the body whether in movement or still.

Balboa

a form of Swing popularized during the 50's in California.

ballerina

female dancer. Prima ballerina, or first dancer, is usually used for one who dances leading roles.

ballet

classical theatrical dancing based on the danse d'ecole, the rules and vocabulary that were codified around 1700 in France.

ballet blanc

A ballet in which the women wear white tutus, such as the second and fourth acts of Swan Lake.

ballet d'action

a ballet with a plot, usually tragic.

ballet de cour, le

(court ballet). Spectacles for entertainment, usually with allegorical or mythological themes, performed by the aristocracy in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, combining music, recitatives, and mime.

ballo

standard Italian dances and their music of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.

ballon

the ability of a dancer to remain suspended in air during a jump; elasticity in jumping.

ballroom dances

social dances usually performed by couples, including the fox-trot, waltz, tango, rumba, swing, mambo, samba, and cha cha.

bambuca

the national dance of Colombia, South America.

barrida

a sweep.

barn dances

are the product of our colonial ancestors who recreated them from England's Country Dances. They were performed in halls and barns as get-togethers among America's first social gatherings.

barre

the wooden bar that runs around the wall of the ballet studio at waist height, and which the dancer holds onto during the first part of class

usually referred to as the barre. It helps the dancer find or adjust his/her balance.

Barrel jump

A turning jump in the air where the body is parallel with or horizontal to the floor.

bas, en

low, as in placement of arms.

basic movement

a characteristic figure that remains constant.

basse danse

a solemn court dance usually in duple time, popular in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.

battement

a beating movement of the legs.

battle

competition using any one of the four elements of hip-hop. Can be individual or groups (crews).

beguine

type of Rumba, probably originated in Martinique or Cuba.

black bottom

black couple dance from around 1925. Probably has African American origins.

bolero

a dance that originated in Spain. Very slow Rumba rhythm, usually with Spanish vocals.

boogie woogie

African American jazz dance. The knees are held close together and the hips sway from side-to-side as the dancer travels forward. Boogie Woogie was originally a style of music, but is today also a dance that is becoming very popular in Europe. It has its roots in the Rock 'n' roll style that was danced in the fifties, like the style found in old movies with Bill Haley.

Boston Jive

form of Swing similar to Lindy but with kicks.

Bossa Nova

when Brazilian musicians heard the "cool jazz" of the U.S. in the late 1950s and adapted the it to a gentler samba rhythm the result was the music called Bossa Nova. The 1964 hit single "Girl From Ipanema" spread the Bossa Nova throughout the world.

bourree, pas de

a series of small, fast steps executed with the feet very close together.

Breaking

Breakdancing. Dancing with floor movements, such as spins, freezes, and poses.

brise

a jump off one foot that is "broken" by a beating of the legs in the air.

bulerias

a Spanish Gypsy dance.

bunny hop

dance that resembles the Conga line.

Buck

Buck dancing emphasizes percussive rhythms with a greater use of the heel and toe. The style uses a greater bent leg position that distinguishes it from "shuffle" clogging.